Receiving a referral from another wedding and event planner feels fantastic. It means a lot to be respected enough by your peers that they would refer potential clients to you when they are booked.
Personally, I love to send business to other planners when we are booked or when a client is a better fit for one of our peers. It helps the business of the referred planner and saves the potential client from having to search for another reputable wedding and event planner.
When someone refers you, be sure to say thank you. If you would love to receive referrals from another event planning company, start referring them first when you are booked and copy the event planner on the referral email.
Thank you for all that you do for fellow wedding industry professionals! I am in the beginning stages of starting my wedding planning business, and your site and advice has helped me come a long way. I have one question though…what is the best way to make initial contact with other planners to build relationships? For some reason, I have this idea that they won’t want to give me their time because I’m new to the group or they might see me as competition. I’d like to know the best way to word my initial contact so they know that I am just a friendly fellow planner!
Thank you!
<3 Kelly
Kelly, sometimes it does take time before other planners will take you seriously but it doesn’t hurt to reach out. Start attending local networking groups where you can meet other planners. That is a great way to start building relationships. These are my thoughts on competition: https://plannerslounge.com/the-competition. Thank you for commenting!
I always refer other planners when I am booked or they are looking for more full service planning, since I only do Month of Orchestration! I have a template email that includes website, phone number and email of those planers who I feel confident referring. It feels awesome to give the help to both the client and the other planners and feels just as good when it comes back the other direction. We are friends first (hopefully) and friendly competitors second.
LOVE this Debbie! I’ve both received and given referrals to other planners and it is such an awesome all around experience. In most cases it was the start of a great friendship within the industry.
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Hi Debbie,
Thank you for all that you do for fellow wedding industry professionals! I am in the beginning stages of starting my wedding planning business, and your site and advice has helped me come a long way. I have one question though…what is the best way to make initial contact with other planners to build relationships? For some reason, I have this idea that they won’t want to give me their time because I’m new to the group or they might see me as competition. I’d like to know the best way to word my initial contact so they know that I am just a friendly fellow planner!
Thank you!
<3 Kelly
Kelly, sometimes it does take time before other planners will take you seriously but it doesn’t hurt to reach out. Start attending local networking groups where you can meet other planners. That is a great way to start building relationships. These are my thoughts on competition: https://plannerslounge.com/the-competition. Thank you for commenting!
Debbie,
I always refer other planners when I am booked or they are looking for more full service planning, since I only do Month of Orchestration! I have a template email that includes website, phone number and email of those planers who I feel confident referring. It feels awesome to give the help to both the client and the other planners and feels just as good when it comes back the other direction. We are friends first (hopefully) and friendly competitors second.
As always Debbie – Thanks!
I love the idea of having a ready-made template with your planner referrals. Thanks for sharing your thoughts Kelli!
LOVE this Debbie! I’ve both received and given referrals to other planners and it is such an awesome all around experience. In most cases it was the start of a great friendship within the industry.
That is a great point Jessica. Forming friendships with other planners helps in so many ways including referrals.